Improvement in obstetrical supporters



E. STAINBAGK. Obstetrical Supporters.

Patented March 31, 1874.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

wIL'LIAM E. sTArNBAeK, or soMEEviLLE, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN OBSTETRICAL SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,261, dated March 31, 1874; application led March 13, 1874.

To all lwhom it may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM E. STAINBAOK, of Somerville, in the county of Fayette and State of Tennessee, have invented la certain Improvement in Obstetrical Supporters, of which the following is a specification;

This invention relates to an apparatus for assisting woman during parturition, intended to afford supports at suitable points, between which she can brace her frame during the paroXysms. My improvement consists in the combination 0f a support for the back and kneesupports, all suspended from a xedframe or object overhead, the supports for the knees being severally connectedbyindependent cords to the support for the back, and the cords, which v reeve over pulleys on the elevated frame, be-

ing provided with handles, so that the lady using the apparatus can bring the whole force of lier body to bear in bracing herself -to alleviate the pain.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved apparatus complete. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view to show the manner of hanging the knee-supports. Fig. 3 is a section, transversely, on au enlarged scale, of the support for the back.

The same letters ot' reference are used in all the figures in the designation of identical parts.

In the example illustrated, the operative parts of the apparatus are shown as suspended from the upper portion of an upright frame, A, adapted to straddle the bed upon which the patient is lying. It is' evident, however, that the necessary contrivances for sustaining the apparatus may be secured to the ceiling over the bed. The knee-supports B are rigidly secured to arms B', pivoted to the top cross-bar of the frame A by a joint, b, allowing the arms to swing freely in every direction. To one arm, B', and near to its knee plate or support, is secured a cord, C, which is thence carried over a pulley, D, suspended by a sliding and swinging block, D', from a .detachable rod or bar, A', near the top of support at the end opposite where the cord C supports it, assists in giving steadiness to the back-support.

When called into use, the support E is suitably adjusted to the back of the lady, who places her knees against the supports B, and, grasping the handles F with her hands, can brace herself and bring any desired pressure to bear on her back. All the parts being automatically adjustable or shit'table, she can readily, and by the slightest et'ort, arrange 1tlhem in positions the most comfortable to What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An obstetrieal supporter composed of the flexible back-support E, swinging kneesup ports B, cord C, reeving over pulleys D, and handles F, all suspended from a frame or fixed object overhead, substantially as speeied.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

WILLIAM E. STAINBACK,

Witnesses:

LEvIN LocKE, B. EDw. J.'EILs. 

